Laser Assisted Hatching in India

A covering layer, or ‘shell’ surrounds embryos or blastocysts called the Zona Pellucida (ZP). The zona has an important role in fertilisation as it allows only one sperm to penetrate the zona and enter the egg to achieve fertilisation. It also acts to prevent premature implantation in the Fallopian tube and may help prevent the early embryo from being attacked by cells of the immune system.

The embryos have to “hatch” or break out of the zona in order to embed into the endometrium lining the uterine cavity. This occurs about four to five days after embryo transfer when the embryo is at the blastocyst stage. Naturally this takes place by expanding/contracting of the zona until it distorts, allowing the blastocyst to “hatch”.

If the zona is not functional, this hatching may not occur. It has been reported that up to 75% of normal embryos never hatch through the protective layering of the zona. Laboratory techniques involved in IVF may result in hardening of the zona. In natural fertilsation there are enzymes present within the fluid in the Fallopian tube, which may “soften” the zona. This does not happen in IVF as the tube is bypassed. The zona may also be thicker following IVF, especially in older ladies. Frozen embryos may also have a hardened zona.

Methods of Assisted Hatching

Chemical
This involves chemicals (acid tyrodes) used to produce a weakened area of the zona. The chemical is applied through a microtool, manipulated by an embryologist. It is not entirely accurate, as when working with such small amounts of chemicals, it is hard to quantify the dose with pinpoint accuracy. The acid then has to be washed off in order to prevent further damage to the embryo.

Laser
The zona is drilled by the microlaser system called Fertilase. It creates a clean-cut precise incision in the zona.

This is more accurate for several reasons:

The process is fast compared to the chemical method, thus the embryo does not have to be held still by a suction pipette. As well as this factor, we use a vibration free table to avoid any accidental movement of the embryo.

The accuracy of the laser is predetermined by its programming, and is therefore not dependent on the skill of the operator. There is a high degree of reproducible accuracy.

Who is Suitable for Laser Assisted Hatching?

At the We Care’s partner Fertility Centres, patients who are considered for laser assisted hatching are:

Those patients who have IVF or ICSI who are over 37 years

Patients having FER

Patients who have had a previous failed IVF or ICSI treatment cycle

Patients undergoing IVF/ICSI for the first time, who are considered poor responders because they have required a high dose of gonadotrophins for poor ovarian response

Patients who in an earlier IVF cycle have had a low fertilisation rate, for example, less than one third of the embryos achieving fertilsation

Patients with three or fewer embryos

Patients who request laser assisted hatching and are fully informed of its use and function

Laser assisted hatching – a photo essay

It’s a sad fact that IVF technology today is still not perfect. Only one of ten embryos we transfer in the uterus implants successfully in the endometrium to become a baby. Why is the embryo implantation rate only 10 ? Some doctors believe this is because the surrounding shell of the embryo (called the zona pellucida) hardens when it is cultured in the laboratory.

We can use “embryo surgery” called zona drilling or assisted hatching to “soften” the shell of the embryo. This helps to increase pregnancy rates by improving implantation rates, since embryo hatching is facilitated. In the past, this was done using acid (acid Tyrode’s), but this can damage the embryo.

Today, we can precisely create an opening in the zona safely and effectively with the use of a laser.